Obituary of Lea C. Downer

Lea C. Downer

August 9, 1922 - April 21, 2013

The Hampton Union, April 23, 2013

HAMPTON — Lea C. Downer, 90, died Sunday, April 21, 2013, at the Rockingham Nursing Home in Brentwood.

She was born Aug. 9, 1922, in Southbridge, Mass., a daughter of the late Peter and Catherine (Polack) Norowski.

A well-known Hampton resident for many years, she owned and operated several Hampton Beach businesses, including the Moulton Hotel, the Renwood Restaurant and Gift Shop, and Lea's Tea Room.

Lea was also active in church and community affairs. She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish and a member and past president of the Catholic Women's Club; a member and past president of the Hampton Democratic Organization; and an elections poll worker for many years.

Family members include her son, George "Skip" Downer and his wife, Carol, of Hampton; daughter Cynthia Legacy of Manchester; two grandsons, Scott Downer and his wife, Michelle, of Sudbury, Mass., and Ryan Downer and his wife, Patricia, of Wolfeboro; two great-grandchildren, Aidan and Madeline; a brother, Roger Norowski and his wife, Nancy, of Southbridge, Mass.; a sister, Isabel Augistinus of Trenton, Fla.; two sisters-in-law, Mary Norowski of Agawam, Mass., and Martha Norowski of Memphis, Tenn.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was the widow of former Hampton postmaster George S. Downer, who died in 1983. Lea was also predeceased by her son, James Downer, in 2007, and grandson Matt Downer in 2006.

SERVICES: Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 25, in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, 289 Lafayette Road, Hampton. Burial will be in High Street Cemetery, Hampton.